Fox Sports Films announced a new project in collaboration with Kevin Durant’s company, Thirty Five Media, as part of their “MAGNIFY” series. The documentary will follow the lives of incarcerated basketball players at the San Quentin State Prison.
“MAGNIFY” was launched by Fox Sports in November 2017 to compete with ESPN’s 30 for 30. Their first film was co-produced by LeBron James’ multimedia company, UNINTERRUPTED. In February, a second project was released in conjunction with co-producer Dwayne Wade, now Kevin Durant gets his opportunity to tell a story on the Fox Sports’ platform through his documentary titled, “Q Ball.”
Kevin Durant and his Thirty Five Media business partner, Rich Kleiman will serve as the film’s executive producers along with Jamie Patricof and Katie McNeill from Hunting Lane Films and Jordan deBree of HEIST. Emmy Award winner Michael Tolajian will direct the documentary.
“My first visit to San Quentin with my teammates was an unforgettable experience that moved me and made me want to bring it to a larger audience,” said Durant. “This film shines a light on these individuals, their struggles and their connection through basketball.”
Durant has visited the prison with some of his Golden State Warriors teammates which helped fuel the idea for the film. “Q Ball” depicts the inmates’ struggles and shows how basketball helps in their search to find freedom and redemption.
“This commitment to deeper storytelling – pointing the cameras where they’re needed most — diversifies our voice and gets audiences thinking about sports in a broader context beyond wins and losses,” said Charlie Dixon, EVP of content at FOX Sports when MAGNIFY was launched. “The aim is to create dialogue and hopefully affect change in the communities where these stories are told.” Kevin Durant’s “Q Ball” falls right in line with Dixon’s vision for MAGNIFY.
Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here.